Interview: KARMAA Talks About Her Brand New Album "this is ME"
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“I wanted to create a project that would move people the way that movie moved me. Embracing every part of me and sharing the not so good parts of myself with the world to show that what they see on social media isn’t always what people are going through in life. ”
Congratulations on the completion and release of your new EP "this is ME"; tell us about your creative process for the five songs and what the title represents.
Thank you. My creative process behind this project as a whole was to have a rollercoaster of emotions. I based it on some experiences I've had in my life and attempted to write in a way that would be healing rather than triggering.
Track 1 took the longest to write because I wanted to really describe how I experience anxiety. Track 2 was simple for me to write. I placed myself in high school when I was bullied for being queer to the point that I was suicidal and nobody even noticed. Track 3 was the first track completely written and recorded. I found rock bottom was the easiest for me to write about. Track 4 was written almost a year before I finally found the perfect beat. The beat was actually created around vocals for a different track completely but work in progress sounded perfect so I scrapped the other and moved forward with work in progress which is now a fan favorite. Track 5 was a last minute addition. Drvke Beats posted a snippet and I knew I had to have it. I actually had to pull over on the freeway to write the hook to this one so I wouldn't lose the lyrics. Then after I started driving again I had to pull back over to write the verses. I wanted to remind those listening that it's okay to be low, it's okay get depressed, it's okay to not be okay. You're not alone in those thoughts or feelings so please speak up and out. We need you here.
The title was inspired by the movie The Greatest Showman. I wanted to create a project that would move people the way that movie moved me. Embracing every part of me and sharing the not so good parts of myself with the world to show that what they see on social media isn't always what people are going through in life. Everybody has a mask but I took mine off. I embraced the vulnerability in hopes that others will see that they can now take the mask off and talk about their feelings.
Were there additional songs that you recorded but decided to not include on the EP? If so, why did they not make the final track list?
There was one other song that was supposed to be the opening track. I wanted the emotional rollercoaster to start with a confidence high then spiral but the track at the end just didn't fit. So that one was pulled. Which I think was the best decision. I love this project and it's been reciprocated so well.
Do you plan on filming music videos for any of the songs on the EP? If so, which song(s)?
I do intend to get at least a music video out for work in progress. I had initially wanted to do a short film going through each song as a whirlwind of emotions that a lot of us face daily, weekly, monthly. That may still happen, who knows.
Tell us about how you got started writing and recording music and how your advocacy for mental health awareness coincides with the songs that you create.
I started writing poetry in 8th grade after taking a creative writing course. In 9th grade those poems started turning into raps. Lyrics have always flowed through my head and my parents said if we got our degrees we could pursue whatever career we wanted and they'd support us. So in 2014 when I graduated early with a Bachelors Degree they said chase your dreams. I didn't start recording until 2017 which is when I released my first album. It was garbage, and has only progressed since.
At the end of 2019 I decided from 2020 on that I'd only create music I love and it has to include messages around equality, LGBTQ+ experiences, mental health, self love, self embrace and positivity spreading. I've removed over half of my catalogue because it was music I hated, didn't support my brand and was music I thought would help me fit in which didn't help me stand out. So now I proudly touch on "taboo" topics and make sure that those who feel "not normal" feel heard.
When someone listens to "this is ME" for the first time, what do you want them to take away from the experience?
I want them feel the pain, see the vision painted through lyrics, and embrace the emotional rollercoaster. Even if you yourself have never gone through mental health struggles, I wanted others to at least get an idea of what those struggles can look like. How does anxiety feel? What does depression look like? Is rock bottom different everybody? I want them to feel. I also want them to hear this journey and realize that things don't change overnight but that with time and healing it does get better.
With "this is ME" now released, what are some of your goals musically for the rest of 2022?
This project has been my absolute favorite. I'm proud of its success and reach. Moving forward I'm dropping singles to stay in your face.
I have some re releases coming, I have a bunch of new stuff coming. Some fun rap, some sexy pop, and a lot more songs with messages. I'm also working on an album set to drop later this year. Mateus Seth is executive producing and engineering this project and so far it's incredible. I'm really excited for what's to come this year.
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